- Department: Psychology
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Silke Goebel
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: H
- Academic year of delivery: 2020-21
- See module specification for other years: 2019-20
Occurrence | Teaching cycle |
---|---|
A | Autumn Term 2020-21 |
Every day we deal with numbers (paying bills, making phone calls). What are the mental representations and processes involved in those activities? This module reviews recent research and theorizing on this issue. It will start with a reflection on why studying numerical cognition in general might be useful. In this first session an introduction to the key questions, main models and research methods used in the field will be given. We will also look at key findings of number processing in adults (such as the larger the number the longer it takes people to process the number). There is growing evidence that to a certain extent animals process numerosity too. In session 2 we will investigate this literature, compare it to number processing in humans and discuss controversial issues such as whether animals can really count. In the third seminar we will look at the typical development of numerical and mathematical skills in children. Some children (and adults) struggle with number processing and arithmetic. Seminar 4 will focus on Mathematics Disorder, difficulties in number processing and arithmetic. Interactions between representations of space and numerosity will be investigated in session 5. In the following session we will learn about the neural basis of number processing by discussing studies of brain imaging in healthy adults and of patients who lost part of their numerical abilities after brain injury. In the last session we will take a cross-cultural perspective and evaluate the influence of culture and language on number processing and arithmetic.
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Online Exam Numerical Cognition |
N/A | 100 |
None
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Online Exam Numerical Cognition |
N/A | 100 |
The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.
These marks will be accompanied by module feedback forms which will be circulated by e-mail.
Students will meet supervisors in wk 6 in AuT, SpT and wk 9 in SuT to discuss their marks.
Sample Reading:
Gilmore, C., Göbel, S.M., & Inglis, M. (2018). An Introduction to Mathematical Cognition. International Texts in Developmental Psychology. Hove: Routledge
Dehaene, S. (2011). The number sense: How the mind creates mathematics. New York, Oxford: OUP.
Göbel, S.M., Shaki, S. & Fischer, M. H. (2011). The Cultural Number Line: A Review of Cultural and Linguistic Influences on the Development of Number Processing. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 42(3).